Andre Baker hugs Brenda Jernigan, a member of his campaign, as results are tallied at Dunbar School in Bridgeport, Conn., Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2014. Baker defeated former state Sen. Ernest E. Newton in a primary race for the 124th state House District seat. less

Andre Baker hugs Brenda Jernigan, a member of his campaign, as results are tallied at Dunbar School in Bridgeport, Conn., Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2014. Baker defeated former state Sen. Ernest E. Newton in a primary ... more

Former state Sen. Ernest E. Newton stands outside his campaign headquarters Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2014 in Bridgeport, Conn. Andre Baker defeated Newton in a primary race for the 124th state House District seat.

Former state Sen. Ernest E. Newton stands outside his campaign headquarters Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2014 in Bridgeport, Conn. Andre Baker defeated Newton in a primary race for the 124th state House District seat.

Andre Baker celebrates his win over former state Sen. Ernest E. Newton in a primary race for the 124th state House District seat Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2014, with supporters at Dolphin's Cove in Bridgeport, Conn.

Andre Baker celebrates his win over former state Sen. Ernest E. Newton in a primary race for the 124th state House District seat Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2014, with supporters at Dolphin's Cove in Bridgeport, Conn.

Former state Sen. Ernest E. Newton talks to his supporters at his campaign headquarters in Bridgeport, Conn., after losing to Andre Baker in the primary race for 124th state House District seat Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2014. less

Former state Sen. Ernest E. Newton talks to his supporters at his campaign headquarters in Bridgeport, Conn., after losing to Andre Baker in the primary race for 124th state House District seat Tuesday, Aug. ... more

Andre Baker celebrates his win over former state Sen. Ernest E. Newton in a primary race for the 124th state House District seat Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2014, with his family Cheryl Bell and son Chase, 4, at Dolphin's Cove in Bridgeport, Conn. less

Andre Baker celebrates his win over former state Sen. Ernest E. Newton in a primary race for the 124th state House District seat Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2014, with his family Cheryl Bell and son Chase, 4, at ... more

Charlie Coviello congratulates Andre Baker on his win over former state Sen. Ernest E. Newton in a primary race for the 124th state House District seat Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2014, at Dolphin's Cove in Bridgeport, Conn. less

Charlie Coviello congratulates Andre Baker on his win over former state Sen. Ernest E. Newton in a primary race for the 124th state House District seat Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2014, at Dolphin's Cove in Bridgeport, ... more

That was the latest lesson in Bridgeport politics Tuesday, as Andre Baker, bolstered by Mayor Bill Finch and his allies, thwarted ex-state senator-turned-felon Ernest Newton's return to the Legislature.

"Good job," said a beaming Finch, as he shook the victor's hand and celebrated Baker's Democratic primary win at Dolphin's Cove restaurant. "It's great for the city. He has the city's best interests at heart."

For anyone familiar with the history between Baker and Finch, it was quite a scene.

Before this primary season, Baker, a funeral home director with a mild-mannered public persona, had been a thorn in Finch's side. He often criticized the administration as a member of the City Council and, in 2011, endorsed Finch rival Mary-Jane Foster in that year's mayoral primary.

And when Baker won a seat on the school board last year, critics of Finch's education reforms celebrated.

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Then Newton -- who went to jail for political corruption and is heading to trial on charges of campaign finance fraud -- received the Democratic Town Committee's endorsement in May for his old seat in the 124th House District.

The establishment rallied, fearing Newton would again hurt the city's image and that his trial and possible conviction would turn into another spectacle for Bridgeport and Connecticut.

"The city doesn't need to move backwards," a source close to Finch's administration said in June. "We don't need the baggage that comes along with Ernie."

Baker also got support from movers and shakers in Hartford, like House Speaker Brendan Sharkey, D-Hamden.

Sharkey visited Bridgeport a few weeks ago to endorse Baker, then returned Tuesday to campaign for him.

"Public trust is the first quality voters should consider when choosing who will represent them," Sharkey said in a statement when he endorsed Baker.

Baker, his young son clutching his leg, said Tuesday he was excited about new challenges in Hartford.

"I look forward to bringing the district together," Baker said. "It shows people are looking for a change, new blood."

He said he would resign his seat on the Board of Education following November's election, in which Baker currently has no challengers.

While many political insiders had expected the race to be close, Newton conceded just minutes after the polls closed at 8 p.m. With three of Bridgeport's polling places still unreported, Baker had 690 votes to Newton's 419.

The boisterous, colorful Newton, this year and in during an unsuccessful 2012 primary for his old state Senate seat, portrayed himself as a man who deserves redemption and would be an example for other felons.

"Through all the ridicule I never dropped my head," Newton said Tuesday. "A man stands up no matter what, and what people say. I congratulate Mr. Baker and I wish him well. He will do a good job."

Newton blamed his loss in part on a lack of funds. Under a new law, his prior conviction kept him from participating with Baker in the state's public campaign finance grant program.

Meanwhile, Newton is headed to trial, charged with illegally obtaining $500 to meet a fundraising threshold for public financing in his 2012 race. It's a prosecution Newton in May likened to a lynching.

Asked what the rejection of Newton says about Bridgeport, Finch said, "It says people make a decisive decision. Ernie has contributed, and voters said they want to move forward."

Coviello said he likes Baker, but that he was "co-opted" and is being used.

But ex-Democratic City Councilman Bob Walsh, a vocal critic of Finch's, was optimistic that Baker would retain his independence.

"They may have decided to back Baker at the last minute," Walsh said. "But I'm hoping that after he's been in Hartford for a month, they'll be kicking themselves."

Newton said it was too early to say whether this was his last campaign. But he made it clear he would continue to stay involved with the community.